Training for Mount Kilimanjaro at 68: Sibling Summit Story | HikeStrong | Ep. 35
03/03/2026 | 54 min
How do you train for Mount Kilimanjaro at 60+ without living near mountains? Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro isn’t just about summit night — it’s about the months of preparation beforehand. In this episode, siblings Bob and Susan (both in their late 60s) share how they trained separately in completely different environments and successfully summited Kilimanjaro together. Susan lives in the Washington, D.C. area and trained using local hikes in Virginia and Maryland, treadmill work, stairs, and strength training — one year after her second hip replacement. Bob lives in Iowa and trained in flat terrain, relying heavily on stairs and an artificial sledding hill to build elevation gain. Both had real concerns: altitude sickness, balance, downhill scree, and handling back-to-back trekking days. Over 12 weeks, they focused on elevation gain, lunges, balance work, and milestone challenges — logging more than 35,000–40,000 feet of vertical gain in training. By the time they reached Tanzania, the physical side was no longer the question. In this episode, we cover: How to train for Mt. Kilimanjaro without mountains Elevation gain vs. mileage Hiking after hip replacement Balance training for hikers over 60 Trekking poles and downhill control Managing altitude sickness The value of experienced guides Why preparation reduces anxiety on big expeditions This conversation is for anyone who believes big adventures are reserved for younger bodies or perfect terrain. Readiness can be built deliberately, locally, and imperfectly — and sometimes the most meaningful summits are the ones you share with someone willing to commit alongside you and stay accountable every step of the way. HikeStrong mobile App: https://hikestrongapp.com/ Ask Me How To Get Fit For Your Next Hike, Trek or Backpacking Trip: https://fitfortrips.com/consultation/
Get Your 3 Free 12-Week Hiking Training Plans: https://fitfortrips.com/free-hiking-training-plan/
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Who’s Really Behind the Hiking Gear Videos You Watch? | HikeStrong | Ep. 34
20/02/2026 | 53 min
Most hikers research hiking gear and watch gear reviews before a trip. You’ve probably watched hiking gear videos before your last hike—but have you ever thought about who’s creating them? In this episode, we step inside the world of user-generated content (UGC) and talk with a real outdoor creator about how it actually works in the hiking and outdoor gear industry. Marcus sits down with Ryan Heck, a UGC creator who works with outdoor brands like KÜHL and BioLite, to talk about: What user-generated content actually is How Ryan studies and tests hiking gear before showcasing it What makes hiking gear reviews feel authentic Layering strategy for hut-to-hut hikes in changing weather How hikers can approach content creation themselves This episode isn’t about workouts. It’s about understanding the hiking gear content many outdoor enthusiasts already consume—and the role it plays in the broader hiking experience. After listening, you may start seeing hiking gear videos on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook differently. Ryan Heck: Outdoor Brand Content & UGC Creator | Trekker Heck Instagram Ryan and Marcus will both be at https://hikeexpocolorado.com/ in May 2026. HikeStrong mobile App: https://hikestrongapp.com/ Ask Me How To Get Fit For Your Next Hike, Trek or Backpacking Trip: https://fitfortrips.com/consultation/
Get Your 3 Free 12-Week Hiking Training Plans: https://fitfortrips.com/free-hiking-training-plan/
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Check out the audio podcast version on all platforms: https://fitfortrips.com/hikestrongpodcast
Inside the Outdoor Industry: Lessons from REI, Osprey, and Years Filming in the Field | HikeStrong | Ep. 33
03/02/2026 | 59 min
What do years inside the outdoor industry actually teach you about gear, preparation, and creating in nature?
In this episode of the HikeStrong Podcast, Marcus Shapiro sits down with outdoor photographer and filmmaker Dan Holz, co-founder of Fieldborn Creative, to talk about what he learned from nearly a decade working on the retail floor at REI, more than seven years leading photo and video at Osprey, and decades working in the field with hikers, athletes, and outdoor brands.
Dan shares behind-the-scenes insight into how outdoor gear is really designed and tested, why pack fit matters more than weight, and how working with real athletes in the field differs from staging outdoor marketing shoots. Drawing on his experience as a photographer and filmmaker, he explains how preparation — both physical and logistical — allows people to be present on the trail and on set, rather than just getting through the day.
Marcus and Dan also talk about how COVID reshaped hiking culture and the outdoor industry, what brands learned during that surge, and why authentic outdoor storytelling depends on lived experience, not polish or performance.
Whether you’re a hiker planning a big trip, someone curious about how outdoor brands operate behind the scenes, or a creator interested in authentic outdoor storytelling, this episode offers an honest, grounded perspective from someone who’s lived it. Featured Guest Dan Holz Co-Founder, Fieldborn Creative Dan is a lifelong outdoor professional whose career spans retail leadership at REI, creative direction at Osprey, and decades of fieldwork capturing authentic outdoor stories around the world. His work is rooted in lived experience and reflects how adventure actually unfolds. 🔗 Learn more: https://fieldborncreative.com
Dan and Marcus will both be at https://hikeexpocolorado.com/ in May 2026. HikeStrong mobile App: https://hikestrongapp.com/ Ask Me How To Get Fit For Your Next Hike, Trek or Backpacking Trip: https://fitfortrips.com/consultation/
Get Your 3 Free 12-Week Hiking Training Plans: https://fitfortrips.com/free-hiking-training-plan/
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Check out the audio podcast version on all platforms: https://fitfortrips.com/hikestrongpodcast
Swiss Alps Hiking at 63 – Part 3: Planning a Swiss Hut-to-Hut Adventure | HikeStrong | Ep. 32
23/01/2026 | 32 min
Thinking about a Swiss Alps hut-to-hut hike but don’t know where to start? How do you actually plan it—and what do most first-timers get wrong? In the final episode of this series, Marcus and Alex, founder of The WanderWeGo Co., dive into the practical realities of hiking in Switzerland. Alex shares what makes the Swiss Alps different from hiking in the U.S., including cultural norms, trail design, and the Swiss trail rating system—an area that often surprises American hikers. They break down what a mountain hut really is, what it’s like to stay in one, and why hut-to-hut hiking is far more welcoming than many people expect, even for solo travelers or beginners. Alex also explains the logistics behind route planning, booking huts, packing smart, and preparing for the elevation gain that defines alpine hiking. This episode is a roadmap for anyone inspired by Dave’s story and wondering how to take their own first step toward a Swiss Alps adventure—with clarity instead of overwhelm. Topics covered: Hiking in the Swiss Alps vs. the U.S. Understanding Swiss trail ratings What the hut-to-hut experience is really like Planning routes, booking huts, and packing smart Common mistakes first-time Alps hikers make How beginners can confidently start planning Get expert advice on hiking in the Swiss Alps from Alex, founder of The WanderWeGo Co. HikeStrong mobile App: https://hikestrongapp.com/ Ask Me How To Get Fit For Your Next Hike, Trek or Backpacking Trip: https://fitfortrips.com/consultation/
Get Your 3 Free 12-Week Hiking Training Plans: https://fitfortrips.com/free-hiking-training-plan/
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Check out the audio podcast version on all platforms: https://fitfortrips.com/hikestrongpodcast
Swiss Alps Hiking at 63 – Part 2: From Training to the Trail | HikeStrong | Ep. 31
20/01/2026 | 32 min
After months of training, what is it actually like to hike hut-to-hut in the Swiss Alps for the first time? This is the reality of a first Swiss hut-to-hut experience. In Part 2, Dave is joined by Alex, founder of The WanderWeGo Co. and the consultant who designed his Swiss Alps route. Together, they move from preparation to lived experience—talking honestly about what surprised Dave on the trail, what challenged him most, and where his training showed up when it mattered. They discuss why Alex intentionally steered Dave toward a more local, off-the-beaten-path region instead of the famous tourist routes, and how that decision shaped the entire experience. Dave reflects on the moments that stayed with him most, from physically demanding sections to unexpectedly emotional highs, and explains how knowing he was prepared allowed him to simply “show up” and enjoy the experience. This episode connects the dots between smart planning, structured training, and what it actually feels like to hike day after day in the Alps as a first-timer. Topics covered: First-time Swiss Alps hut-to-hut hiking What surprised a newbie hiker on the trail Off-the-beaten-path routes vs. tourist regions How training translates to real alpine terrain Advice for nervous or first-time Alps hikers Get expert advice on hiking in the Swiss Alps from Alex, founder of The WanderWeGo Co. HikeStrong mobile App: https://hikestrongapp.com/ Ask Me How To Get Fit For Your Next Hike, Trek or Backpacking Trip: https://fitfortrips.com/consultation/
Get Your 3 Free 12-Week Hiking Training Plans: https://fitfortrips.com/free-hiking-training-plan/
LIKE & SUBSCRIBE for new videos: https://www.youtube.com/@HikeStrongPodcast
Check out the audio podcast version on all platforms: https://fitfortrips.com/hikestrongpodcast
The HikeStrong Podcast is where I share practical guidance on hiking, backpacking, and trekking preparation. Each episode blends fitness insight with real-world training strategies to help you build strength, endurance, and confidence for any trail.I sit down with guests to break down how to train for demanding hiking, backpacking, and trekking goals using smart strength training, endurance training, and conditioning approaches. You’ll hear clear advice on altitude training, uphill training, and injury prevention, all woven into training conversations that support preparation for major destinations such as Kilimanjaro, Everest Base Camp, Rim to Rim, Tour du Mont Blanc, the Camino de Santiago, Patagonia, Machu Picchu, the Alps, and the Dolomites.Because training is never one‑size‑fits‑all, I also bring listeners inside real programs. In select episodes, I interview clients in a deep‑dive format that reveals week‑by‑week training details — real data, real challenges, and real solutions — offering a clearer picture of how people actually prepare for hiking, backpacking, and trekking goals.A cornerstone of my approach is elevation‑gain training. I believe that consistently building weekly elevation gain is one of the strongest predictors of success on any major adventure. In each episode, I share clear, actionable ways to develop that strength — even if you don’t have access to hiking terrain — so you can stay on track whether you train on hills, treadmills, stair machines, or step‑ups.If you're preparing for a major trip, gearing up for a multi-day backpacking route, or building a long-term plan for tougher hiking or trekking challenges, you’ll find episodes that support every step of your training.Beyond training, some episodes feature voices from across the hiking, backpacking, and trekking worlds — guides, operators, storytellers, and industry experts whose insights can shape how you think about adventure. These conversations broaden your perspective and influence your outdoor experiences, even when the focus isn’t directly on training.Listen, train with purpose, share with your adventure partners — then take on at least one unforgettable hiking, backpacking, or trekking experience each year. Train | Hike | RepeatI’m Marcus Shapiro, a hiking strength and conditioning coach and an early pioneer in online training for hiking, backpacking, and trekking, helping adventurers get physically ready for everything from local elevation goals to high-altitude expeditions.
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